The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-09-10

knew what Il coward am before. What
is it the old song says, Still remember the
hated voice that told the tale to me- ]
could not bear that mine should be the
hated voice."
Going over to the window, his eyes fell
on slender giilish form coming mp the
pathway toward the house.
His face grew still paler for il was the
daughter of the farmer with-whom Yane
Debevois had been stopping.
She nodded her head as she saw him.
is Sybil IMP" she said,
''She went down the garden \ moment
ago-down past the rose-bushes y
'Hlere l am, Elsie. Come down this
path" Sybil called, and then Elsie saw the
flutter of her pink dress at the lower end Of
the path.
ut is wonder the beauty of the day
does not tempt you out, Guy" Elsie said,
with coquettish glance, as she turned to
join Sybil, who came mp the path to meet
her.
A short time passed but long enough for
Guy Layton, who knew what would come
and then flying footsteps come up the path
way--a passion pale face flashes toward
him, wild, wide eyes, full of despairing pain,
are raised to his.
''rell me, GryF' she cried. 81 will be-
lieve you. Is it true? Guy-Guy, is it trueq
Was Vane-Yane, my lover"
! The broken, childish voice stops with a
gasp, the white hands are outstretched in
piteous appeal.
SIT is true, Sybil-true that vane Debe-
vols is a scoundrel; true that he was mar
ried yesterday to his fathers ward, a deli
cate, fragile beauty and heress, but-but,
Sybil-Sybil darling" for the sweet blue
eyes had suddenly diinmed, the long, dark
lashes swept down on the pallid cheeks, and
their she lay, white and senseess, in Guy
Iayton's arms.
For long weeks after that Madeline Lay
ton watched over the unhappy girl, and
Guys face grew pale and haggard as he
and Madeline kept their weary vigil, and
listened to the low means and the piteous
refrain tina. was eyer ''Yane, Vanep'
! When hope was almost gone a change
came, and the doctor told them their dar-
ling would live, and bright day dawned
when Guy carried her down stairs.a fragile
little shadow, with eyes like saucers and
close. cropped hair.
And Sybil not only lived, but brightness
came back to cheeks and lips, though the
violet eyes were never so childish in their
wonderment again, nor the lips so ready
with their smiles.
| Music, soft and sweet, 1oated out Oh the
crisp, clear air, lights flashed, and the bright
eyes grew brighter amid the brlliancy of
the scene, and the fairest woman there was
Sybil Leigh.
Fame and honor rs well as wealth had
come to her, for her name fame ranked
high in the world of fiction. and fortune
had been left her by an uncle whom she
hardly knew existed,
Eight years before she was a pretty coun-
try maiden; now she is woman, royal in
her loyeliness, with something of the naiy-
etc of her early days still clinging to her.
She stood under the light of the chandel-
ier, her robe of silyer-gray tissue falling
around her, leaving bare the polished
shoulders and cleaning arms,
A band of gold set with amethysts holds
back the clustering bronze hair, slender
bands set with the same precious stones
encircle her neck and arms, and a cluster of
pansies nestles in her corsage.
And then:
''AIiss Leigh, Mr.. DebeYols."
Vane Debeyois stands before her-Vane
Debevois, who had come from abroad, where
he had left his fragile young wife, sleeping
the last long sleep,
After that every one knew that Vane
Debevois was madly in love with the beau
tiful Miss Leigh, and then the romance of
their early love found its way to the fash
lonable world, and that perhaps was why
rumor reached the SIMPLE home where Guy
and Madeline Layton still liYed-a rumor |
of an engagement between Sybil Leigh and |
her false lover of the past.
And then it came, that one evening, out |
in the garden of her beautiful home, Guy
Layton stood before Sybi.
1t was in the cleaning and for moment
she scarcely knew him, and then she went
forward with a welcoming smile.
81 have come to say good bye, Sybil, - he
said abruptly.
She noticed the pallor of his face, the
harshness of his voice.
''You are going away? Where, Guy?
do not understand
Il am going abroad l have little time
to stay, but Sybil, l wish you happiness
in your marriage with Vane Debeyois.r
Her face flushed slightly
''Your wishes are premature, Guy" she
said coldly, almost haughtily.
"Are they. Well, YOU win excuse me
and let me say goodbye"
Her face flushed again, bat she laid her
hand in his.
Goodbye" was all she said.
''Not a word Of where OF whenr' he
thought bitterly, as he turned away. leaY-
ing her alone.
Alone. In that moment sYbil Leigh un-
derstood the full meaning OF the word.
On the eve of Guys departure he stood
alone in the quaint old-fashioned parlor Of
his home. when without a moments warn